COLOUR SLIDE EXHIBITION

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29178, 12 April 1960, Page 19

COLOUR SLIDE EXHIBITION

Presentation In Civic Theatre

“It is a wonderful thing that photographers all over the world can, through their common interest in the art and technique of photography, develop international relationships,” said the Mayor of' Christchurch (Mr G. Manning) last evening when he opened the fourth New Zealand International Colour Slide Exhibition of 400 selected entries from approximately 14 countries. “If we could only extend those relationships more deeply throughout the world, international peace and goodwill would be more in evidence than they are at present,” Mr Manning said. In a city which was proud of its cultural organisations it was gratifying to have such an exhibition he said, congratulating the Christchurch Photographic Society on its organisation of the public exhibition. The life of a city was not in its architecture, but rather in individual expression by its citizens of the life about them. "Tonight we are privileged to see the skill and art of New Zealand and overseas photographers expressed in colour slides. Every one of us here tonight will be enriched by what we see," he said. The programme of colour slides projected on a 15-square-foot screen at the Civic Theatre was indeed a feast for photographers and lovers of the art of colour photography. However, for many members of the public who cannot fully appreciate the painstaking patience and skill which must go into such work, two hours and a half of viewing colour slides is bound to result in visual indigestion. However high the standard of work may be, and last evening’s selections included hundreds of breathtakingly beautiful slides, a slight ennui and even dizziness is inescapable simply because it is so difficult to absorb and appreciate such a rich menu at one sitting. Audience Reaction

It was interesting to note that the judges’ choices of the very best of the 400, beautiful and artistic as they were, were often not those which appealed most strongly to the audience. The expressions of appreciation with which the 'audience greeted its favourites seemed to indicate that subjects with which it could identify itself brought the greatest pleasure.

Among these were studies of cats and fuzzy kittens so appealing that the viewer felt the intimacy of soft. fur. Young animals from chickens to opossums with wet pink noses one could almost feel gave special pleasure. Humorous slides showing a goose “nagging" her young, and the droll head of a snow-white goat were among the animal favourites. Amid the dozens of artistic slides of butterflies, cocoons, caterpillars and birds a close-up shot of the amusing head of a grasshopper brought relief. From the overpowering beauty of scores of exotic flower heads exquisitely photographed, a common bunch of Karaka berries, a few buds of pussy willow and a juicy corn cob teamed with two ripe tomatoes were refreshingly welcome. Hundreds of magnificent landscapes and sea-scapes too numerous to describe from all parts of the world overpowered the senses. Snow scenes, dawns, glittering cities, sunsets, and vivid changes of season—all were included. The variety of subject and terrain, indoors and out, is a tribute to the imagination and skill of photographers from many countries. This is an exhibition which is so rich and comprehensive it has the same effect on the viewer as an art gallery crammed with masterpieces—the inevitable feeling that it should be seen many, many times to be fully appreciated.